To the contrary. The combined (state, county, and city) property tax rate for a Bowie resident is $1.6820 per $100 of assessed value for fiscal year 2019, which is down from the 2005 rate of $1.7063. While the Bowie property tax rate has been stable for the last nine years, residents may have seen their tax bills increase due to higher property assessments and the fact that Prince George’s County raised its property tax rate by $.04 in fiscal year 2019. Property assessments are developed by the State of Maryland and are based on market rates.

Bowie has two budgets: the operating budget and the capital budget. Both funds are covered by our regular sources of income and are allocated by City Council each year depending on the planned improvements. At times, we might issue a bond for a major capital expense.

No. The local water system covers only some of the neighborhoods in Bowie. All costs for the operation of the Water Plant and capital improvements are covered by the billings that go out to the users of the Bowie Water System.

The State of Maryland has increased the Bay Restoration Fee that appears on your water bill and these funds are sent to the State.

Bowie is on a "pay as you go" model, meaning that we do not spend funds that we do not have or were not budgeted. We have specific debt policies which guide our City Council. Bowie enjoys an AAA credit rating.

Bowie maintains a reserve fund to provide a cushion in the event of unanticipated expenditures. These reserve funds may be used to balance the budget when unexpected expenses are incurred, such as unplanned snow removal.

In the past, Prince George's County provided police coverage for Bowie. When Bowie voted to start its own police force in 2005, this changed. Our contribution to the cost of Prince George's Police Department goes down each year as we increase the capability of our own force.

The City does not pay for the Fire Department. This function is handled by the County and paid with County taxes. The City provides a contribution, usually over $100,000 a year, to the Volunteer Fire Department for the purpose of purchasing and maintaining equipment.

Fees are charged to participants, but in order to keep the fees low, the City provides additional funding out of the general fund. The City provided the initial funds to build the Gymnasium and pays for the maintenance of the Ice Arena.